His proposed law would make witness intimidation a felony and stiffen penalties for intimidators.

Buffalo police are always stressing how important it is that witnesses to crimes come forward to help solve them, but convincing them that it's safe can be a challenge.

Schumer cited the 2009 City Grill shooting, in which four people were killed. He said the case was difficult to prosecute due to witness intimidation. He said one witness who testified in that trial had to be relocated to another location through Erie County's witness protection program.